Portugal 1-0 Netherlands: Goncalo Guedes strikes to win inaugural UEFA Nations League for Cristiano Ronaldo’s side

Portugal 1-0 Netherlands: Goncalo Guedes strikes to win inaugural UEFA Nations League for Cristiano Ronaldo’s side
Goncalo Guedes scored the only goal of the game as Portugal beat Netherlands to be crowned the first Nations League champions.The final in Porto was not a game for the ages as a match billed as a battle between the two captains, Cristiano Ronaldo and Virgil Van Dijk, was settled by Valencia forward Guedes on the hour mark.Cristiano Ronaldo lifted the trophyGetty4
Cristiano Ronaldo lifted the trophy
The 1-0 win was enough for the reigning European champions to add the inaugural Nations League crown to their honours list with victory in front of their own fans.But, strangely in a country where Ronaldo is revered, it was Harry Maguire’s name which echoed around the Estadio do Dragao early on as those England fans who had purchased a ticket for the final hoping to see the Three Lions made the most of their evening.Bruno Fernandes had the first half-chance of the final for Portugal while Steven Bergwijn ran down a blind alley as Holland looked to break at the other end.The first meeting of Van Dijk and Ronaldo saw the Dutch skipper block a shot behind for a corner, with Jose Fonte rising highest to draw a fairly simple save out of Jasper Cillessen.Goncalo Guedes fired home the winning goalGetty4
Goncalo Guedes fired home the winning goal
Fernandes then stung the palms of the Barcelona goalkeeper as the hosts began to turn the screw in search of the opener.With the first half wearing on, it was Sporting midfielder Fernandes who again came close as he whistled a strike inches over the crossbar from the edge of the box.After the interval, Ronaldo opted to move away from Van Dijk and chance his arm against the rest of the Dutch backline, breaking through at one point to eventually help Portugal win a corner.The hosts were beginning to dominate as Matthijs De Ligt was on hand to turn a dangerous Raphael Guerreiro cross behind.Guedes enjoyed being the heroGetty4
Guedes enjoyed being the hero
The home supporters followed the step up from their team in kind as the atmosphere rose – but then the Portuguese almost fell behind, Rui Patricio getting down to prevent Memphis Depay’s effort squeezing in at his near post.It was Portugal would deservedly take the lead, though, as Guedes popped a pass off to Bernardo Silva, who squared it back for the forward to fire in a shot which was too hot for Cillessen to handle.Depay came close to equalising soon after but his header was held at the second attempt by Patricio, while Marten De Roon sent Holland’s next chance high over the crossbar as Portugal closed in on victory.Patricio still had work to do, however, as the Wolves goalkeeper shovelled a strike from substitute Donny Van De Beek behind for a corner.Portugal celebrated wildly in front of their home supportersGetty4
Portugal celebrated wildly in front of their home supporters
At the other end, Joao Moutinho wanted a penalty but was given short shrift from referee Undiano Mallenco, before Nelson Semedo’s driven shot was held by Cillessen.Ronaldo, who struck a hat-trick in the semi-final win over Switzerland and ends the finals as the top goalscorer, could not get in on the act as he sent a last-minute free-kick wide.But, as Van Dijk ended the night as an auxiliary striker, it would be the Juventus forward who would become the first man to lift the Nations League trophy and add more silverware to his ever-expanding collection.

This is marmite for some but the current version, tweaked in 2013 that has the Lancashire rose is a nice and has fans here at talkSPORT.

Back in April 2014, Demba Ba's goal at Anfield -- following Steven Gerrard's slip and crucial loss of the ball -- proved to be the decisive moment in that season's title race with City. Liverpool
Man City v Liverpool: The best ever English title race

Millwall star Steve Morison reacts

Catch up with all of the latest news from Real Madrid. Find out the updates from Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid side and find out the latest gossip surrounding the famously-impatient Florentino Perez. Will Cristiano Ronaldo ever return to Manchester United, and will Gareth Bale be able to stake his place in the heart of Los Blancos?
As a football fan, should Gareth Bale leave Madrid? - Quora

Tottenham’s Under-18s were the first team to play at the new stadium – with around 30,000 fans in attendance

Tottenham's Danny Rose admits sharing England camp with Liverpool players 'draining' after Champions League loss Posted on June 10, 2019 10:18 The Spurs full-back says it has been difficult to spend time around the European Cup winning Reds

Viggo Mortensen displays the San Lorenzo badge which was stitched into his waistcoat at the Oscars. He was nominated for ‘best actor’ but lost out to Rami Malek

Tottenham Hotspur will have to cope without a key man in their Champions League semi-final clash with Ajax. Already without Harry Kane due to injury and seeing Moussa Sissoko forced off during a frantic first half against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, Mauricio Pochettino's side could have another big absentee.
Tottenham team vs Ajax confirmed: Fernando Llorente starts

John Terry’s influence at Villa should not be understated

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Cardiff City by: reuters — BBC 2 Mar Preview followed by live coverage of Saturday's Premier League game between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Cardiff City.
Chelsea news: Ian Holloway believes criticism of Maurizio

QPR’s cup run comes to an end

Manchester United transfer news LIVE Ole Gunnar Solskjaer transfer plans latest and De Ligt updates. Man Utd continue to be linked with a big number of different transfer targets we've got the

McCarthy was manager of Ipswich last season, before being sacked

Marcelo Bielsa has confirmed Leeds will be unchanged from the midweek defeat at QPR when they play West Brom as they look to regain top spot ahead of the weekend matches. "It will be the same team
Prediction: Leeds vs West Brom - Soccer News

N’Golo Kante is a doubt for Chelsea

Why Peter Crouch will be in doghouse with Abbey Clancy if Burnley beat Liverpool. The model is a born-and-bred Reds fan which means former England star Crouch could be in big trouble if he scores
PETER CROUCH: Excitement, nerves and everything to prove at

Luca was jubilant after slotting his penalty

Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Sokratis Papastathopoulos will miss Arsenal's Europa League game against BATE on Thursday, "The players not in the squad are because Ramsey has not trained with us
Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey not in travelling Arsenal squad

Ryan Fraser pounced to double their lead

Frank Lampard to Chelsea latest: Harry Redknapp responds to rumours linking nephew with Maurizio Sarri's job talkSPORT. Harry Redknapp has suggested the Chelsea job may be too big for nephew Frank Lampard to take on so early in his career.
Maurizio Sarri makes Callum Hudson-Odoi admission ahead of

Strakosha was linked with a move to Anfield last summer

Jordan Pickford will be asked by Everton chiefs to explain his alleged part in a pub brawl in Sunderland over the weekend. The England goalkeeper, who caused controversy at St James' Park last
Jordan Pickford: Everton investigating after goalkeeper
sports.weblife24.com/jordan-pickford-everton-investigating-after-goalkeeper-filmed-at-centre-of-pub-brawl-in-sunderland/
Jordan Pickford was at the centre of a pub brawl at the weekend, it has emerged. Footage obtained by The Sun appears to show the Everton and England goalkeeper involved in a fight outside a pub in Sunderland on Sunday.
Jordan Pickford: Everton investigate after video allegedly

Pedro opened the scoring

Man United vs Liverpool live on talkSPORT: Free stream, full coverage, unusual kick-off time and confirmed team news All the information you need to catch the Premier League showdown at Old
Man United vs Liverpool live on talkSPORT: Free stream, full

Jose Fonte rubbed salt in the wounds late on
Manchester United on red alert as Raphael Varane reportedly

Post a Comment

0 Comments